The Fashion World's Best of Everything: A Look Back at 2013

We’ll confess: creating this list is a lot harder than it seems. Seriously how can you choose between Lara Stone and Cara Delevingne? While it would have been easier to flip a coin, we dug our sparkly heels in and stuck it out—choosing between favorites, tossing aside a few ideas only to drag them back in and then fling them out once more. We laughed, we cried, we had moments of nostalgia, moments of wow-what were-they-thinking and moments of awe. While we’re sad to see it go, we can’t wait for what this new year has in store, so to wave the year goodbye we curated the best fashion moments of 2013.

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Best Magazine Cover: Kate Upton on Vogue

We love Kate Upton, so while that should be reason enough to make her our number one, she had some serious contenders. The reason we chose the gorgeous blonde (aside from the fact that she also posed on the cover of Vanity Fair and Sports Illustrated this year—both beautiful) was the controversy this Vogue cover seemed to cause. She’s too curvy? Too voluptuous? When did these become bad things? It even prompted Anna Wintour to come to Upton’s defense. Anything that gets us thinking and allows us to have real discussions about positive body imagery is a win for us.

Favorite Style Icon: Kate Middleton

Kate is the style icon in the JustLuxe offices. From sartorial wedding perfection (yes, we know that was so 2011) to styling around her baby bump, she always looks fantastic. Besides how great did she looking walking out of that hospital with Prince George the day after giving birth? We literally counted down the days, hours, minutes, seconds—milliseconds, if there is such a thing—with bated breath until he was born, and then immediately started planning outfits for him. Can you blame us? His mom is such a fashion maven we're sure the little prince will be one adorable lady-killer. We can't wait to see what this next year will bring for the happy royal family.

Best Beauty Campaign: Prada Candy x Wes Anderson

As much as we love sulking men who give you that smoldering stare just a little too long, we had to choose something fun and artsy for our favorite beauty campaign. We loved the Prada x Wes Anderson videos that we’ve been treated to all year; they’re like mini fashion movies. But our favorites by far were the Prada Candy episodes. Who wouldn’t want to be so adorable that hot French men are competing for your affection? Anyone? They bring you double-vanilla-chocolate-almond-cream birthday cake, for goodness sake! And everything is in pink. How badly do we want to live in Candy’s world?

Best Fashion Campaign: Saint Laurent

Okay Hedi, you win this one. We’re not too keen on that fact that you dropped the Yves from Saint Laurent, but what can you do? We’ll take it with a grain of salt and hope for the best—and these campaigns were indeed the best. The Saint Laurent Music Project ads featured edgy rockers like Daft Punk, Marilyn Manson and Courtney Love. We get it, you’re making a statement, and we actually think it’s pretty cool. The chic black and white with the rebellious rock ’n’ roll vibe—definitely perfect for a darker, new Saint Laurent.

Favorite Runway Show: Moschino Spring/Summer 2014

After trying to find a clever way to sneak our top three favorite shows into this one slot, we realized it couldn't be done. It had to be about the show and less about the collection, but it didn’t stop us from hours of internal conflict and wresting with our emotions. In the end the Moschino fashion show won (with Louis Vuitton in a close second!), but it really was a spectacle. Dancing, singing, a full on encore—you can’t really beat that. There were girls jumping around in shopping bags, boogieing with loaves of bread and balancing teddy bears on their heads. The best collection? Not really. The best show? OMG yes.

Best Designer Collaboration: Isabel Marant for H&M

There were so many collaborations this year it wasn’t even funny. Seriously, we’re not laughing. We loved the Damien Hirst x Alexander McQueen scarf collaboration (we’ll take one in every design please), but this year what really took the cake was the lower-end brands that teamed up with high-end designers. Think L’Wren Scott & Banana Republic, Phillip Lim 3.1 for Target and Isabel Marant for H&M. And while we’re not big Target shoppers (except for the occasional tube of toothpaste), some of the designs were amazing. We’re going to have to give this one to Isabel Marant for H&M just for the sheer amount of insanity it caused. Seriously, it wasn’t even Black Friday and women were lined up at the mall the night before. Wow.

Favorite Model: Lara Stone

Yes, we love Cara, we do, but we see her everywhere and sometimes it’s just a little too much—just a tad. After having a baby earlier this year (and still looking gorgeous by the way), gracing international magazine covers, making Forbes highest paid models listand being named the new face of L'Oréal, Lara is having a super fantastic year. And after such a bumpy rise to the top it’s good to see the Dutch model having the time of her life. There’s something to be said for the underdog and we can’t help but root for her.

Photos Courtesy of Carven

Favorite New Designer Men’s: Carven

Sure, the brand is over 50 years old, but it’s been seriously revitalized in the last few years by creative director Guillaume Henry. His first men’s collection with Carven was Summer of 2012, but over 2013 it’s been thriving tremendously and we can’t wait to see what this designer has in store for men’s fashion. We’re big fans of the gorgeous shapes and classical cuts in the women’s line, and so far we’re loving the colors, layering and varying lengths that we’re seeing in men’s. Plus, they have some of the hunkiest models ever in their campaigns.

Photos Courtesy of Joker's Closet

Favorite New Designer Women’s: Joker’s Closet

Okay, this one was pretty hard, but in the end we are always going to side with the brand that lets us design our own shoes. Besides, Joker's Closet started this year and are already collaborating with designers and showing for Paris Fashion Week. They are totally doing something right. Available in flats, heels and wedges there are lots of colors to choose from, without any strange floral patterns or bow accessories. Everything is pretty trend-on without coming in sky-high stilettos or ridiculous heels we can’t walk in. They’re fun, functional and super-stylish shoes. We’ll take three.